Multi-path detection method for CDMA receivers

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a method for a multi-path detection analysis and selectivity of CDMA signals using spread spectrum receivers using a correlation technique. The invention is based on determining by the spread spectrum receiver whether a distortion of a received radio frequency signal, caused by a multi-path component of said received signal, meets a predetermined condition using a pre-selected correlation analysis of said received signal. This invention is generally applicable to global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers and it is particularly useful in GNSS receivers, such as GPS (global positioning system) and Galileo receivers. The important goal of this invention is to provide a simple method for identifying signals that are corrupted by multi-path effects, and can be excluded from position calculation in the GNSS receivers.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention generally relates to spread spectrum receiver, and morespecifically to a multi-path detection analysis and selectivity of codemodulated signals using spread spectrum receivers.

BACKGROUND ART

GNSS (global navigation satellite system) receivers determine theirposition by making accurate range measurements to transmittingsatellites. However, the accuracy may be severely decreased if thesignals are distorted by multi-path effects. Typically a multi-pathenvironment is especially bad in urban areas where there are manyreflecting surfaces as shown in FIG. 1. Unfortunately, many mobile phoneusers live in the urban areas as well.

Traditionally GNSS receivers try to minimize the harmful effect ofmulti-path by making the range measurements less sensitive tomulti-path. Several such methods are known, e.g., a narrow correlatordescribed by A. J. van Dierendonck, P Fenton and T. Ford in “Theory andPerformance of Narrow Correlator Spacing in a GPS Receiver”, Navigation,Vol. 39, No. 3, Fall 1992, pp. 265-283, a strobe correlator described byL. Garin, F. van Diggelen and J-M. Rousseau, in “Strobe & EdgeCorrelator Multi-path Mitigation for Code”, ION GPS-96, Sep. 17-20,1996, Kansas City, Mo., pp. 657-664, and a multi-path estimating delaylock loop described by R. D. J. van Nee, in “The Multi-path EstimatingDelay Lock Loop”, ISSSTA-92, Nov. 29-Dec. 2, 1992, Yokohama, Japan, pp.39-42.

Typically a GPS (global positioning system) receiver sees 8-12satellites simultaneously. In the future, when a European Galileo systemis operational, the number of visible satellites will be doubled to16-24 for a combined GPS-Galileo receiver. However, only four satellitesare needed for a position calculation. Hence it would be advantageous toselect for position calculation the signals that are the least corruptedby a multi-path propagation.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a novel method for multi-path detection analysis andselectivity of code modulated signals using spread spectrum receivers.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a method for a multi-pathdetection analysis of a radio frequency signal by a spread spectrumreceiver, comprises: receiving a radio frequency signal containing amulti-path component by the spread spectrum receiver and converting theradio frequency signal to a digital signal; and detecting the multi-pathcomponent and determining by the spread spectrum receiver whether adistortion of the radio frequency signal caused by the multi-pathcomponent meets a predetermined condition using a pre-selectedcorrelation analysis of the digital signal, thus implementing themulti-path detection analysis of the radio frequency signal by thespread spectrum receiver.

According further to the first aspect of the invention, the step ofdetermining may be performed by a receiver processing block. Further,the radio frequency signal may be used by the spread spectrum receiverfor further processing beyond the receiver processing block, only if thedistortion meets the predetermined condition, thus implementing aselective function of the multi-path detection operation of the spreadspectrum receiver.

Further according to the first aspect of the invention, the digitalsignal may be generated by converting the radio frequency signal to aradio frequency electrical signal by an antenna of the spread spectrumreceiver with subsequent converting the radio frequency electricalsignal to a digital signal by a preprocessor of the spread spectrumreceiver.

Still further according to the first aspect of the invention, the radiofrequency signal may be a code division multiple access (CDMA) signal.

According further to the first aspect of the invention, prior to thedetermining, the pre-selected correlation analysis of the digital signalmay be performed by a receiving channel block of the spread spectrumreceiver, and the analysis comprises the steps of: generating a dataintermediate signal by removing a residual carrier frequency from thedigital signal using a phase-loop feedback and providing the dataintermediate signal to each of K correlators of the receiving channelblock, wherein K is an odd integer of at least a value of three;providing a code signal indicative of a delay-loop feedback to a firstdelay module of the receiver processing block; providing each of Kconsecutively delayed code signals to one corresponding correlatormodule of K correlator modules, wherein the each of the K delayed codesignals is consecutively and individually delayed by pre-selected valuesrelative to a previously delayed code signal of the K consecutivelydelayed code signals starting with the code signal provided by thereceiver processing block; and generating each of K correlation signalsby a corresponding one of the K correlator modules using the dataintermediate signal and the K delayed code signals and providing the Kcorrelation signals to the receiver processing block for thedetermining, wherein the each of the K correlation signals contains anamplitude parameter or a phase parameter or both said amplitudeparameter and said phase parameter. Further, K may be an odd integer ofat least a value of five and said distortion of said radio frequencysignal caused by said multi-path component may be evaluated in saidreceiver processing block using said predetermined condition bycomparing said amplitude parameter of an Mth correlation signal of saidK correlation signals generated using an Mth delayed code signal of theK consecutively delayed code signals, wherein M=1, or 2 . . . or(K−1)/2, and the amplitude parameter of a corresponding Lth correlationsignal of the K consecutively delayed code signals generated using acorresponding Lth delayed code signal of the K correlation signals,wherein L=K, or K−1 . . . or (K+3)/2. Still further, the amplitudeparameter of two correlation signals of the K correlation signals,generated by corresponding correlation modules using correspondingdelayed code signals of the K consecutively delayed code signals delayedby (K−1)/2 and (K+3)/2 times respectively, may be maintained equal usinga delay-locked loop of the spread spectrum receiver. Further still, thedistortion of the radio frequency signal caused by the multi-pathcomponent may be evaluated in the receiver processing block by comparingamplitude parameter of a first of the K correlation signals, generatedusing a first delayed code signal of the K consecutively delayed codesignals and a last of the K correlation signals generated using a lastdelayed code signal of the K consecutively delayed code signals. Yetstill further, K may be equal to 5.

According still further to the first aspect of the invention, the phaseparameter of one correlation signal of the K correlation signals,generated by a corresponding correlation module using a correspondingdelayed code signal of the K consecutively delayed code signals delayedby (K+1)/2 times, may be maintained to be zero using a phase-locked loopof the spread spectrum receiver, and phase parameters of the Kcorrelation signals may be provided to the receiver processing block forthe determining. Further, the code signal may be generated by a codegenerating block of the receiving channel block in response to a codecontrol signal indicative of the delay-loop feedback from the receiverprocessing block as a part of a delay-locked loop. Still further, thedata intermediate signal may be generated by a residual carrier removingblock of the receiving channel block in response to a frequency controlsignal indicative of the phase-loop feedback from the receiverprocessing block. According to a second aspect of the invention, acomputer program product comprises: a computer readable storagestructure embodying computer program code thereon for execution by acomputer processor with the computer program code, characterized in thatit includes instructions for performing the steps of the first aspect ofthe invention indicated as being performed by any component of thespread spectrum receiver, or a terminal containing said spread spectrumreceiver.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a spread spectrum receivercapable of a multi-path detection operation, comprises: an antenna,responsive to a radio frequency signal containing a multi-pathcomponent, for providing a radio frequency electrical signal; apreprocessor, responsive to the radio frequency electrical signal, forproviding a digital signal; and a receiving module, for performing apre-selected correlation analysis of the digital signal; and a receiverprocessing block, for detecting the multi-path component and determiningwhether a distortion of the radio frequency signal caused by themulti-path component meets a predetermined condition using apre-selected correlation analysis of the digital signal.

According further to the third aspect of the invention, the radiofrequency signal may be used by the spread spectrum receiver for furtherprocessing beyond the receiver processing block, only if the distortionmeets the predetermined condition, thus implementing a selectivefunction of the multi-path detection operation of the spread spectrumreceiver.

Further according to the third aspect of the invention, the radiofrequency signal may be a code division multiple access (CDMA) signal.

Still further, according to the third aspect of the invention, each ofthe N receiving channel blocks, may comprise: means for generating adata intermediate signal by removing a residual carrier frequency fromthe digital signal using a phase-loop feedback; means for generating acode signal indicative of a delay-loop feedback; K correlator modules,wherein K is an odd integer of at least a value of three, for generatingeach of K correlation signals by a corresponding one of the K correlatormodules using the data intermediate signal and K delayed code signalsand for providing the K correlation signals to the receiver processingblock for the determining whether a distortion of the radio frequencysignal caused by the multi-path component meets a predeterminedcondition using a pre-selected correlation analysis of the digitalsignal, wherein the each of the K correlation signals contains anamplitude parameter or a phase parameter or both the amplitude parameterand the phase parameter; and K delay modules, for providing each of Kconsecutively delayed code signals to one corresponding correlatormodule of the K correlator modules, wherein the each of the K delayedcode signals is consecutively and individually delayed by pre-selectedvalues relative to a previously delayed code signal of the Kconsecutively delayed code signals starting with the code signalprovided to a first delay module out of the K delay modules by thereceiver processing block. Further, K may be an odd integer of at leasta value of five and the distortion of the radio frequency signal causedby the multi-path component may be evaluated in the receiver processingblock using the predetermined condition by comparing the amplitudeparameter of an Mth correlation signal of the K correlation signalsgenerated using an Mth delayed code signal of the K consecutivelydelayed code signals, wherein M=1, or 2 . . . or (K−1)/2, and theamplitude parameter of a corresponding Lth correlation signal of the Kconsecutively delayed code signals generated using a corresponding Lthdelayed code signal of the K correlation signals, wherein L=K, or K−1 .. . or (K+3)/2. Still further, wherein the amplitude parameter of twocorrelation signals of the K correlation signals, generated bycorresponding correlation modules using corresponding delayed codesignals of the K consecutively delayed code signals delayed by (K−1)/2and (K+3)/2 times respectively, may be maintained equal using adelay-locked loop of the spread spectrum receiver. Yet further still,wherein the distortion of the radio frequency signal caused by themulti-path component may be evaluated in the receiver processing blockby comparing amplitude parameter of a first of the K correlationsignals, generated using a first delayed code signal of the Kconsecutively delayed code signals and a last of the K correlationsignals generated using a last delayed code signal of the Kconsecutively delayed code signals. Further still, K may be equal to 5

According further to the third aspect of the invention, wherein thephase parameter of one correlation signal of the K correlation signals,generated by a corresponding correlation module using a correspondingdelayed code signal of the K consecutively delayed code signals delayedby (K+1)/2 times, may be maintained to be zero using a phase-locked loopof the spread spectrum receiver, and phase parameters of the Kcorrelation signals may be provided to the receiver processing block forthe determining. Still further, the code signal may be generated by acode generating block of the receiving channel block in response to acode control signal indicative of the delay-loop feedback from thereceiver processing block as a part of a delay-locked loop. Yet stillfurther, the data intermediate signal may be generated by a residualcarrier removing block of the receiving channel block in response to afrequency control signal indicative of the phase-loop feedback from thereceiver processing block.

According still further to the third aspect of the invention, the spreadspectrum receiver may be a global navigation satellite system receiver,a global positioning system receiver or a Galileo receiver.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a system capable of amulti-path selective detection operation, comprises: a satellite, forproviding a radio frequency signal; a base station, for providing afurther radio frequency signal used for mobile communications; and aterminal, responsive to the radio frequency signal or to the furtherradio frequency signal, both containing a multi-path component, whereinthe terminal contains a spread spectrum receiver capable of determiningwhether a distortion of the radio frequency signal caused by themulti-path component meets a predetermined condition using apre-selected correlation analysis of the digital signal, thusimplementing the multi-path detection operation.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, a receiving modulecontained in a spread spectrum receiver for a multi-path detectionanalysis of a radio frequency signal, comprises: at least one receivingchannel block, for performing a pre-selected correlation analysis fordetermining by a receiver processing block of the spread spectrumreceiver whether a distortion of the radio frequency signal caused bythe multi-path component meets a predetermined condition using apre-selected correlation analysis of the digital signal, thusimplementing the multi-path detection analysis of the radio frequencysignal by the spread spectrum receiver, wherein the receiving module isremovable from the spread spectrum receiver.

The present invention is a method to identify signals which arecorrupted by multi-path effects. Such corrupted signals can be givensmaller weight or excluded completely from position calculations, thusimproving the positioning accuracy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the presentinvention, reference is made to the following detailed description takenin conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of multi-path scenario;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram representing an example of a global navigationsatellite system receiver (spread spectrum receiver);

FIG. 3 a is a diagram showing a correlation triangle for a line of sightsignal;

FIG. 3 b is a diagram showing correlation triangles for a line of sightsignal and for a multi-path signal;

FIG. 3 c is a diagram showing a correlation triangle for combined lineof sight and multi-path signals;

FIG. 4 a is a diagram showing a correlation triangle for a line of sightsignal (multi-path-free case) with additional correlation signals,according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 b is a diagram showing a correlation triangle for a multi-pathcase with additional correlation signals, according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram representing an example of a single receivingchannel and a receiving processing block within a global navigationsatellite system receiver (spread spectrum receiver), according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart representing an example of a multi-path selectivedetection operation of a global navigation satellite system receiver(spread spectrum receiver), according to the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a terminal with a spreadspectrum receiver capable of a multi-path selective detection operationfor processing radio frequency signals from satellites and/or basestations.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method for a multi-path detectionanalysis and selectivity of code modulated signals using spread spectrumreceivers using a correlation technique. The invention is based ondetermining by the spread spectrum receiver whether a distortion of areceived radio frequency signal, caused by a multi-path component ofsaid received signal, meets a predetermined condition using apre-selected correlation analysis of said received signal, thusimplementing the multi-path detection analysis and selectivity of thecode modulated (e.g., CDMA) signals. This invention is generallyapplicable to spread spectrum receivers and it is particularly useful inthe GNSS receivers, such as GPS (global positioning system) and Galileoreceivers. Also, the invention can be applied in a broader sense to anycommunication system utilizing spread spectrum receivers. It can beapplied to mobile phones, e.g., utilizing code-division multiple access(CDMA) or wideband CDMA (WCDMA), where it can be used, for example, fornetwork positioning, where the mobile phone measures ranges to basestations.

The important goal of this invention is to provide a simple method foridentifying signals that are corrupted by multi-path effects, and shouldthus be given a smaller weight or excluded from position calculations inthe GNSS receivers.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram representing one example, among others, of atypical operation of a global navigation satellite system receiver (or aspread spectrum receiver) 10 wherein the present invention can beapplied. The receiver 10 can be a GPS (global positioning system)receiver, a Galileo receiver, or any other compatible receiver presentlyavailable or a subject of future technological advances, according tothe present invention.

A typical receiver operation includes receiving the radio frequencysignal and converting said radio frequency signal containing amulti-path component to a radio frequency electrical signal 11 a by anantenna 11 followed by converting said radio frequency electrical signal11 a to a digital intermediate frequency (IF) signal (or a digitalsignal) 14 by a preprocessor 12 and providing said digital signal 14 toeach of N receiving channel blocks 16-1, 16-2, . . . , 16-N (N is aninteger of at least a value of one) of a receiving module 16 whichnormally exchanges information with the receiver processing block 36during its operation and the receiver processing block 36 furthercommunicates with a navigation processing block 19. The key innovationhere involves a novel implementation and design of receiving channelblocks 16-1, 16-2, . . . , 16-N using a novel multi-path detectiontechnique and special processing of the correlation informationgenerated by any block of said receiving channel blocks 16-1, 16-2, . .. , 16-N according to multi-path processing algorithms described belowin regard to FIGS. 3 a-3 c, 4 a, 4 b, and 5, according to the presentinvention.

Traditional GNSS receivers use three correlators to track the code phaseand the carrier phase of the received satellite signal. Usually thesecorrelators are called early, prompt and late correlators. A code phaseis tracked by a delay-locked loop, and a carrier phase is tracked by aphase-locked loop in the traditional GNSS receivers.

FIG. 3 a is a diagram showing one example among many others of acorrelation triangle 15 (a correlation function as a function of a timedelay in chips) for a line of sight (LOS) signal (an ideal case, nomulti-path component). For the purpose of this invention the correlationfunction can be represented by an amplitude (or an amplitude parameter)and/or a phase (or phase parameter). The correlator output, generally,is a complex signal, it has real and imaginary part (often referred toas inphase and quadrature components, I and Q). The amplitude parameteris the amplitude of this complex value, and the phase parameter is itsphase. FIGS. 3 a-3 c and 4 a-4 b discussed here present the amplitude ofthe correlator output. Points marked E, P and L correspond to signalsgenerated by the early, prompt and late correlators, respectively.Points E and L are usually symmetrical in the time delay domain relativeto the point P.

In the delay-locked loop, the receiver calculates an error signaldescribing how far away the prompt correlator is from the peak of thecorrelation triangle, and tries to keep that error signal at zero. Whenthe error signal is zero and there is no multi-path signal, the receiveris tracking the received code phase accurately. A typical error signal(or an early-minus-late error signal) is the correlation function (e.g.,its amplitude parameter) at the E (early) point minus the correlationfunction at the L (late) point. When the error signal (early minus late)is zero, the correlation signals at the E and L points are equal (on thesame level), as shown in FIG. 3 a. However, when the signal is corruptedby the multi-path reflections, the tracking point is shifted from thepeak of the LOS signal. FIGS. 3 b and 3 c demonstrate this situation.

FIG. 3 b is an example, among others, of a diagram showing correlationtriangle 15-1 for the line of sight signal and a correlation triangle15-2 for a multi-path signal. FIG. 3 c is a diagram showing acorrelation triangle 15 for a combined correlation function for the lineof sight and for the multi-path signals shown in FIG. 3 b. As shown inFIG. 3 c the tracking point P is shifted from the peak of the LOS signalby a time delay error 17.

By adding another early-late correlator pair (see points E1 and L1 inFIGS. 4 a and 4 b), also symmetrical in the time delay domain relativeto the point P (time intervals D4=D2 as well as D5=D2 as shown in FIG. 4b) but with a different time spacing (a different time delay), it ispossible to calculate an additional early-minus-late error signal usingthis additional early-late correlator pair. If there are no multi-patheffects (a multi-path-free case), and the receiver is tracking thesignal properly, both the original early-minus-late error and theadditional early-minus-late error signals are zeros. FIG. 4 a presentsthis situation showing the correlation triangle for the line of sightsignal (the multi-path-free case) with additional correlation signals(for the additional early-late correlator pair), according to thepresent invention;

However, when the multi-path signal is present, the originalearly-minus-late signal starts to track the distorted composite signal.The original early-minus-late error signal is still zero, because thereceiver drives it to zero, although it is not the correct trackingpoint anymore. However, the additional early and late correlator signalsare not at the same level, and thus the additional early-minus-lateerror signal is not zero. This is due to the fact that the distortedcorrelation triangle is not symmetrical. FIG. 4 b depicts this caseshowing the correlation triangle for a multi-path case with theadditional correlation signals (at the E1 and L1 points), according tothe present invention.

Also according to the present invention, it is possible to introducemore than one of additional (further) early-late correlator pairs, alsosymmetrical in the time delay relative to the point P but with differenttime spacing (different time delay), and therefore it is possible tocalculate an additional early-minus-late error signal for those furtherearly-late correlator pairs, if it is required by an application (e.g.,a more accurate determination is required). This is consistent with themain goal of the present invention of determining by the spread spectrumreceiver 10 whether the distortion of the received radio frequencysignal caused by a multi-path component of said received signal meetssaid predetermined condition using said pre-selected correlationanalysis of said received signal for implementing the multi-pathdetection analysis and selectivity of the code modulated signals.

Hence, it is possible to detect a multi-path situation by observing theoutput of two early-minus-late signals with different correlator timedelay spacings. Once a good enough signal tracking is obtained (theearly-minus-late error signal used to track the received signal is closeenough to zero), the additional early-minus-late error signal should bealso close to zero. Otherwise the correlation triangle is notsymmetrical (e.g., said predetermined condition is not met), and thepresence of a not acceptable multi-path component can be declared.According to the present invention, the consequence of said“declaration” can be deselecting said code modulated signal (e.g., froma particular satellite) from further consideration and processing orassigning a smaller weight to information contained in said “multi-path”contaminated CDMA signal than to a “clean” multi-path-free signal. Themagnitude of the additional early-minus-late error signal (i.e., howmuch this additional early-minus-late error signal deviates from zero)gives an approximate estimate of the severity of a multi-path problem.Thus, according to the present invention, the magnitude of theadditional early-minus-late error signal can be used to determine howmuch the weight of a signal from a particular satellite should bereduced in position calculations.

In the phase-locked loop, the receiver calculates the phase of theprompt correlator, and tries to keep the phase close to zero at theprompt point (P point). If there is data modulation present in thereceived signal, e.g., a Costas loop can be used, otherwise (no datamodulation) a plain phase-locked loop is enough. The multi-path signalhas a different Doppler frequency than the LOS signal, thus thecorrelation triangle will be distorted also in a phase domain, and thephase tracking will be also in error. That means, e.g., that the phase(or the phase parameter of the correlation signal) of correlators at E,L, E1 and L1 can be different from zero (for the correlator P) and fromeach other.

In the multi-path-free case, the phase of the prompt correlator signaland of all other correlator signals are the same, and the phase of theprompt correlator is driven to zero by the receiver. However, whenmulti-path distorts the correlation triangle, the phase of the promptcorrelator output and other correlators is no longer the same. If thereceiver is phase-locked, the phase of the prompt correlator signalremains zero, but the output signals of other correlators are no longerzeros due to the multi-path effects. Therefore, according to the presentinvention, the multi-path component can be detected by observing thephase difference between the output signals from different correlators.Even if the receiver is not yet fully locked (e.g., code- and/orphase-locked-loop does not need to be tracking perfectly), the phases ofthe output signals from the different correlators will be differentdisclosing the presence of the multi-path component and the phase methodcan be applied directly after the radio frequency signal acquisitionwithout the need to wait for tracking to stabilize. It is also notedthat for phase comparisons, the correlators do not have to besymmetrical about the prompt point.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram representing one example, among others, forimplementing the receiving channel block 16-1, 16-2, . . . , or 16-N ofa receiving module 16 and the receiving processing block 36, bothcontained in the spread spectrum receiver 10, according to the presentinvention. FIG. 5 shows components of the module 16 and the block 36relevant to the present invention.

The receiving channel block 16-1, 16-2, . . . , or 16-N comprises aresidual carrier removing block 20 used for generating a dataintermediate signal 54 by removing a residual carrier frequency from thedigital IF signal 14 using a feedback of a phase-loop (or phase-lockedloop) 46, i.e., in response to a frequency control signal 50 indicativeof said phase-loop feedback from said receiver processing block 36. Thereceiving channel block 16-1, 16-2, . . . , or 16-N also comprises acode generating block 40 used for generating a code signal 58 indicativeof a delay-loop (or delay-locked loop) 44 feedback, i.e., in response toa code control signal 38 indicative of said delay-loop feedback from thereceiver processing block 36 as a part of a delay-locked loop 44.

The data intermediate signal 54 is provided to each of five correlators(E1 E, P, L, L1) 24-1, 24-2, . . . , 24-5. The correlators 24-1 and 24-2correspond to the early correlators E1 and E, respectively, describedabove; the correlators 24-4 and 24-5 correspond to late correlators Land L1, respectively, described above; and the correlator 24-3correspond to the prompt correlator described above. The code signal 58is provided to a first delay module 22-1 and then each of fiveconsecutively delayed code signals 25-1, 25-2, . . . , 25-5 generated bya corresponding one of five delay modules 22-1, 22-2, . . . , 22-5 isprovided to one corresponding correlator module of said five correlatormodules 24-1, 24-2, . . . , 25-4, as shown in FIG. 5, wherein said eachof said five delayed code signals 25-1, 25-2, . . . , 25-5 isconsecutively and individually delayed by pre-selected values relativeto a previously delayed code signal of said five consecutively delayedcode signals 25-1, 25-2, . . . , 25-5 starting with the code signal 58provided by the code generating block 40 to the delay module 22-1. Thepre-selected delay values are chosen based on the algorithm shown inFIGS. 4 a and 4 b, such that the delay signal 25-1 corresponds to the E1point, the delay signal 25-2 corresponds to the E point, the delaysignal 25-3 corresponds to the P point, the delay signal 25-4corresponds to the L point, and the delay signal 25-5 corresponds to theL1 point.

Each of the five correlator modules 24-1, 24-2, . . . , 24-5 generates acorresponding one of five correlation signals 26-1, 26-2, . . . , 26-5and these correlation signals 26-1, 26-2, . . . , 26-5 are provided tothe receiver processing block 36 for determining whether the distortionof the received radio frequency signal caused by said multi-pathcomponent meets a predetermined condition. Each of the five correlationsignals 26-1, 26-2, . . . , 26-5 can contain an amplitude parameter or aphase parameter or both said amplitude parameter and said phaseparameter, such that the correlation triangle shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 bcan be generated for the amplitude parameter and a plot of the phaseparameter (or a phase parameter plot) as a function of differentcorrelators (said plot is not a straight horizontal line if themulti-path is present because the phase parameter is different fordifferent correlators) can be generated simultaneously, according to thepresent invention.

The correlation signals 26-2 and 26-4 (E and L points in FIGS. 4 and 4b), provided to a code loop detector 28 of the receiver processing block36, corresponds to the traditional way of evaluating multi-path effects(e.g., maintaining the difference in the amplitude parameter of thecorrelation signals 26-2 and 26-4 close to zero through the delay-lockedloop 44 using the code control signal 38 as shown in FIG. 5).

However, according to the present invention, if the multi-path detectionis based on the phase information only, so that only the phase parameterplot is generated for the phase parameter, the correlation signals 26-2,26-3 and 26-4 (i.e., the phase difference between them) provided to acorrelation phase detector 31, can be optionally used without a furtherneed for the correlation signals 26-1 and 26-5 for the determiningwhether the distortion of the received radio frequency signal caused bysaid multi-path component meets a predetermined condition (as describedabove). Indeed, even if the phase of the (prompt) correlator signal 26-3is kept close to zero using said feedback signal 50 generated by thephase-locked loop 46 as shown in FIG. 5, said determining can beimplemented by providing said correlation signals 26-1, 26-2, . . . ,26-5 (or just 26-2, 26-3 and 26-4) to a correlation phase detector 31which generates and provides phase parameters of the correspondingcorrelation signals 26-1, 26-2, . . . , 26-5 (or 26-2, 26-3 and 26-4) toa multi-path processing block 32 of said block 36 for performing saiddetermining. The block 32 can use a phase difference of signals 26-1,26-2, . . . , 26-5 (or 26-2, 26-3 and 26-4) but also, optionally, caninclude the phase of the signals 26-1, 26-3 and 26-5 in saiddetermining. On the other hand, if the multi-path detection is based onevaluating the amplitude parameter or for both the amplitude and phaseparameters, according to the present invention, the correlation signals26-1 and 26-5 are provided to an additional early-late detector 30 (inan alternative scenario, the block 30 can be combined with the block 28and/or with the block 31) of the receiver processing block 36, as shownin FIG. 5. The additional early-late detector 30 can generate theamplitude parameters of the correlation signals 26-1 and 26-5 ordirectly the difference (the additional early-minus-late error) signalbetween the correlation signals 26-1 and 26-5 and provides theseamplitude parameters or said difference to the multi-path processingblock 32, while maintaining the difference in the amplitude parameter ofthe correlation signals 26-2 and 26-4 close to zero through thedelay-locked loop 44 using the signal 38 as described above.

The multi-path processing block 32 determines, based on the inputs fromthe blocks 28, 31 and/or 30, whether the distortion of the receivedradio frequency signal caused by said multi-path component meets saidpredetermined condition. If the predetermined condition is not met, thenthe presence of the not acceptable multi-path component can be declared,such that, according to the present invention, the received radio codemodulated signal (e.g., from a particular satellite) is deselected fromfurther consideration and processing beyond the receiver processingblock 36, i.e., no further signal is provided to the navigationprocessing block 19. Alternatively, an intermediate measure can beassigning a smaller weight to information contained in said multi-path“contaminated” code modulated signal than to a “clean” multi-path-freesignal, but still providing this “contaminated” code modulated signal tothe navigation processing block 19 as explained above. If, however, themulti-path processing block 32 determines that the distortion of thereceived radio frequency signal caused by said multi-path componentmeets said predetermined condition, it provides said code modulatedsignal to the navigation processing block 19 for further processing.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart representing an example of a multi-path selectivedetection operation of the global navigation satellite system receiver(spread spectrum receiver) 10, according to the present invention.

The flow chart of FIG. 6 only represents one possible scenario amongothers. In a method according to the present invention, in a first step60, the radio frequency signal containing said multi-path component isreceived and converted to the radio frequency electrical signal 11 a byan antenna 11. In a next step 62, said radio frequency electrical signal11 a is converted to a digital intermediate frequency (IF) signal (or adigital signal) 14 by a preprocessor 12 and said digital signal 14 isprovided to each of N receiving channel blocks 16-1, 16-2, . . . , 16-N.

In a next step 64, the residual carrier frequency is removed from thedigital IF signal and the data intermediate signal is generated (usingthe carrier phase-locked loop) and provided to each of five correlators(E1 E, P, L, L1) 24-1, 24-2, . . . , 24-5.

In a next step 66, the code signal 58 indicative of a delay-loop (ordelay-locked loop) 44 feedback is generated and provided to the delaymodule 22-1.

In a next step 68, each of five consecutively delayed code signals 25-1,25-2, 25-5 generated by a corresponding one of five delay modules 22-1,22-2, . . . , 22-5 is provided to one corresponding correlator module ofsaid five correlator modules 24-1, 24-2, . . . , 25-4, wherein said eachof said five delayed code signals 25-1, 25-2, . . . , 25-5 isconsecutively and individually delayed by pre-selected values relativeto a previously delayed code signal of said five consecutively delayedcode signals 25-1, 25-2, . . . , 25-5 starting with the code signal 58.The pre-selected delay values are chosen based on the algorithm shown inFIGS. 4 a and 4 b, such that the delay signal 25-1 corresponds to the E1point, the delay signal 25-2 corresponds to the E point, the delaysignal 25-3 corresponds to the P point, the delay signal 25-4corresponds to the L point, and the delay signal 25-1 corresponds to theL1 point.

In a next step 70, Each of the five correlator modules 24-1, 24-2, . . ., 24-5 generates a corresponding one of five correlation signals 26-1,26-2, . . . , 26-5 (E1 E, P, L, L1) and these correlation signals 26-1,26-2, . . . , 26-5 (both amplitude and phase) are provided to thereceiver processing block 36 for determining whether the distortion ofthe received radio frequency signal caused by said multi-path componentmeets a predetermined condition. In a next step 72, the receiverprocessing block 36 generates the difference (the additionalearly-minus-late error) signal between the correlation signals 26-1 and26-5 (E1 and L1), and/or the phase difference between any correlationsignals.

In a next step 74, it is determined by the receiver processing block 36whether the predetermined condition is met (for the amplitude or/and forthe phase) based on the results of step 72. If that is not the case, theevaluated radio signal from the particular satellite is not used (shownas step 76) for position calculations (e.g., the signal is not passed tothe navigation processing block 19). If, however, it is determined thatthe predetermined condition is met, in a next step the evaluated radiosignal from the particular satellite is used for position calculations(e.g., the signal is passed to the navigation processing block 19).

The present invention can be applied to a variety of applications andnot only to the GPS and Galileo satellite navigation systems. Theinvention can be used equally well with other navigation systems or moregenerally with any communication systems utilizing a spread spectrumreceiver. An example of such a system is shown in FIG. 7. A terminal (ora user equipment, UE) 84 is a communication device, such as a mobiledevice or a mobile phone, containing a CDMA receiver 83 according to thepresent invention. The CDMA receiver 83 can be, for instance, the spreadspectrum (GNSS) receiver 10 described in the examples of FIGS. 2 and 5.Moreover, said CDMA receiver 83 contains a receiving module 16 with thekey innovation as described above. The block 16 can be built as aremovable unit. The receiving module 16 can be, for example, acombination of receiving channel blocks 16-1, 16-2, . . . , and 16-N aspresented in FIG. 2. FIG. 7 shows P satellites 86-1, . . . , 86-Psending P satellite signals 80-1, . . . , 80-P, to the CDMA spreadspectrum receiver 83. FIG. 7 also shows a base station 85, whichcommunicates with the terminal 84 by sending, e.g., a mobile CDMAcommunication signal 82 a to the CDMA spread spectrum receiver 83 andreceiving back the outgoing communication signal 82 b from the terminal84. The signals 80-1, . . . , 80-P and 82 a can contain the multi-pathcomponents and are processed by the receiving module 16 as described inthe present invention.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are onlyillustrative of the application of the principles of the presentinvention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may bedevised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope ofthe present invention, and the appended claims are intended to coversuch modifications and arrangements.

1. A method for a multi-path detection analysis of a radio frequencysignal by a spread spectrum receiver, comprising: receiving a radiofrequency signal containing a multi-path component by the spreadspectrum receiver and converting said radio frequency signal to adigital signal; and detecting said multi-path component and determiningby said spread spectrum receiver whether a distortion of said radiofrequency signal caused by said multi-path component meets apredetermined condition using a pre-selected correlation analysis ofsaid digital signal, thus implementing said multi-path detectionanalysis of said radio frequency signal by said spread spectrumreceiver.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of determining isperformed by a receiver processing block.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein said radio frequency signal is used by said spread spectrumreceiver for further processing beyond said receiver processing block,only if said distortion meets said predetermined condition, thusimplementing a selective function of said multi-path detection operationof the spread spectrum receiver.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein saiddigital signal is generated by converting said radio frequency signal toa radio frequency electrical signal by an antenna of the spread spectrumreceiver with subsequent converting said radio frequency electricalsignal to a digital signal by a preprocessor of the spread spectrumreceiver.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency signalis a code division multiple access (CDMA) signal.
 6. The method of claim1, wherein prior to said determining, said pre-selected correlationanalysis of said digital signal is performed by a receiving channelblock of said spread spectrum receiver, and said analysis comprises thesteps of: generating a data intermediate signal by removing a residualcarrier frequency from said digital signal using a phase-loop feedbackand providing said data intermediate signal to each of K correlators ofsaid receiving channel block, wherein K is an odd integer of at least avalue of three; providing a code signal indicative of a delay-loopfeedback to a first delay module of said receiver processing block;providing each of K consecutively delayed code signals to onecorresponding correlator module of K correlator modules, wherein saideach of said K delayed code signals is consecutively and individuallydelayed by pre-selected values relative to a previously delayed codesignal of said K consecutively delayed code signals starting with saidcode signal provided by said receiver processing block; and generatingeach of K correlation signals by a corresponding one of said Kcorrelator modules using said data intermediate signal and said Kdelayed code signals and providing said K correlation signals to saidreceiver processing block for said determining, wherein said each ofsaid K correlation signals contains an amplitude parameter or a phaseparameter or both said amplitude parameter and said phase parameter. 7.The method of claim 6, wherein K is an odd integer of at least a valueof five and said distortion of said radio frequency signal caused bysaid multi-path component is evaluated in said receiver processing blockusing said predetermined condition by comparing said amplitude parameterof an Mth correlation signal of said K correlation signals generatedusing an Mth delayed code signal of said K consecutively delayed codesignals, wherein M=1, or 2 . . . or (K−1)/2, and said amplitudeparameter of a corresponding Lth correlation signal of said Kconsecutively delayed code signals generated using a corresponding Lthdelayed code signal of said K correlation signals, wherein L=K, or K−1 .. . or (K+3)/2.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said amplitudeparameter of two correlation signals of said K correlation signals,generated by corresponding correlation modules using correspondingdelayed code signals of said K consecutively delayed code signalsdelayed by (K−1)/2 and (K+3)/2 times respectively, is maintained equalusing a delay-locked loop of said spread spectrum receiver.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein said distortion of said radio frequencysignal caused by said multi-path component is evaluated in said receiverprocessing block by comparing amplitude parameter of a first of said Kcorrelation signals, generated using a first delayed code signal of saidK consecutively delayed code signals and a last of said K correlationsignals generated using a last delayed code signal of said Kconsecutively delayed code signals.
 10. The method of claim 9, whereinK=5.
 11. The method of claim 6, wherein said phase parameter of onecorrelation signal of said K correlation signals, generated by acorresponding correlation module using a corresponding delayed codesignal of said K consecutively delayed code signals delayed by (K+1)/2times, is maintained to be zero using a phase-locked loop of said spreadspectrum receiver, and wherein phase parameters of said K correlationsignals are provided to said receiver processing block for saiddetermining.
 12. The method of claim 6, wherein said code signal isgenerated by a code generating block of said receiving channel block inresponse to a code control signal indicative of said delay-loop feedbackfrom said receiver processing block as a part of a delay-locked loop.13. The method of claim 6, wherein said data intermediate signal isgenerated by a residual carrier removing block of said receiving channelblock in response to a frequency control signal indicative of saidphase-loop feedback from said receiver processing block.
 14. A computerprogram product comprising: a computer readable storage structureembodying computer program code thereon for execution by a computerprocessor with said computer program code, characterized in that itincludes instructions for performing the steps of the method of claim 1indicated as being performed by any component of the spread spectrumreceiver, or a terminal containing said spread spectrum receiver.
 15. Aspread spectrum receiver capable of a multi-path detection operation,comprising: an antenna, responsive to a radio frequency signalcontaining a multi-path component, for providing a radio frequencyelectrical signal; a preprocessor, responsive to the radio frequencyelectrical signal, for providing a digital signal; and a receivingmodule, for performing a pre-selected correlation analysis of saiddigital signal; and a receiver processing block, for detecting saidmulti-path component and determining whether a distortion of said radiofrequency signal caused by said multi-path component meets apredetermined condition using a pre-selected correlation analysis ofsaid digital signal.
 16. The spread spectrum receiver of claim 15,wherein said radio frequency signal is used by said spread spectrumreceiver for further processing beyond said receiver processing block,only if said distortion meets said predetermined condition, thusimplementing a selective function of said multi-path detection operationof the spread spectrum receiver.
 17. The spread spectrum receiver ofclaim 15, wherein said radio frequency signal is a code divisionmultiple access (CDMA) signal.
 18. The spread spectrum receiver of claim15, wherein each of said N receiving channel blocks, comprises: meansfor generating a data intermediate signal by removing a residual carrierfrequency from said digital signal using a phase-loop feedback; meansfor generating a code signal indicative of a delay-loop feedback; Kcorrelator modules, wherein K is an odd integer of at least a value ofthree, for generating each of K correlation signals by a correspondingone of said K correlator modules using said data intermediate signal andK delayed code signals and for providing said K correlation signals tosaid receiver processing block for said determining whether a distortionof said radio frequency signal caused by said multi-path component meetsa predetermined condition using a pre-selected correlation analysis ofsaid digital signal, wherein said each of said K correlation signalscontains an amplitude parameter or a phase parameter or both saidamplitude parameter and said phase parameter; and K delay modules, forproviding each of K consecutively delayed code signals to onecorresponding correlator module of said K correlator modules, whereinsaid each of said K delayed code signals is consecutively andindividually delayed by pre-selected values relative to a previouslydelayed code signal of said K consecutively delayed code signalsstarting with said code signal provided to a first delay module out ofsaid K delay modules by said receiver processing block.
 19. The spreadspectrum receiver of claim 18, wherein K is an odd integer of at least avalue of five and said distortion of said radio frequency signal causedby said multi-path component is evaluated in said receiver processingblock using said predetermined condition by comparing said amplitudeparameter of an Mth correlation signal of said K correlation signalsgenerated using an Mth delayed code signal of said K consecutivelydelayed code signals, wherein M=1, or 2 . . . or (K−1)/2, and saidamplitude parameter of a corresponding Lth correlation signal of said Kconsecutively delayed code signals generated using a corresponding Lthdelayed code signal of said K correlation signals, wherein L=K, or K−1 .. . or (K+3)/2.
 20. The spread spectrum receiver of claim 19, whereinsaid amplitude parameter of two correlation signals of said Kcorrelation signals, generated by corresponding correlation modulesusing corresponding delayed code signals of said K consecutively delayedcode signals delayed by (K−1)/2 and (K+3)/2 times respectively, ismaintained equal using a delay-locked loop of said spread spectrumreceiver.
 21. The spread spectrum receiver of claim 20, wherein saiddistortion of said radio frequency signal caused by said multi-pathcomponent is evaluated in said receiver processing block by comparingamplitude parameter of a first of said K correlation signals, generatedusing a first delayed code signal of said K consecutively delayed codesignals and a last of said K correlation signals generated using a lastdelayed code signal of said K consecutively delayed code signals. 22.The spread spectrum receiver of claim 21, wherein K=5.
 23. The spreadspectrum receiver of claim 18, wherein said phase parameter of onecorrelation signal of said K correlation signals, generated by acorresponding correlation module using a corresponding delayed codesignal of said K consecutively delayed code signals delayed by (K+1)/2times, is maintained to be zero using a phase-locked loop of said spreadspectrum receiver, and wherein phase parameters of said K correlationsignals are provided to said receiver processing block for saiddetermining.
 24. The spread spectrum receiver of claim 18, wherein saidcode signal is generated by a code generating block of said receivingchannel block in response to a code control signal indicative of saiddelay-loop feedback from said receiver processing block as a part of adelay-locked loop.
 25. The spread spectrum receiver of claim 18, whereinsaid data intermediate signal is generated by a residual carrierremoving block of said receiving channel block in response to afrequency control signal indicative of said phase-loop feedback fromsaid receiver processing block.
 26. The spread spectrum receiver ofclaim 18, wherein said spread spectrum receiver is a global navigationsatellite system receiver, a global positioning system receiver or aGalileo receiver.
 27. A system capable of a multi-path selectivedetection operation, comprising: a satellite, for providing a radiofrequency signal; a base station, for providing a further radiofrequency signal used for mobile communications; and a terminal,responsive to said radio frequency signal or to said further radiofrequency signal, both containing a multi-path component, wherein saidterminal contains a spread spectrum receiver capable of determiningwhether a distortion of said radio frequency signal caused by saidmulti-path component meets a predetermined condition using apre-selected correlation analysis of said digital signal, thusimplementing said multi-path detection operation.
 28. A receiving modulecontained in a spread spectrum receiver for a multi-path detectionanalysis of a radio frequency signal, comprising: at least one receivingchannel block, for performing a pre-selected correlation analysis fordetermining by a receiver processing block of said spread spectrumreceiver whether a distortion of said radio frequency signal caused bysaid multi-path component meets a predetermined condition using apre-selected correlation analysis of said digital signal, thusimplementing said multi-path detection analysis of said radio frequencysignal by said spread spectrum receiver, wherein said receiving moduleis removable from said spread spectrum receiver.